PRINCIPAL'S COMMENT
Kia ora Koutou.
To say that this first term has been busy would certainly be an understatement and although there are still 2 weeks remaining before the end of the term it will be nice to be able to catch our breath over the Easter break. As well as participating in the usual indulgences that Easter brings I will be joining thousands of other people in Dunedin as we are treated to the charismatic personality of Ed Sheeran armed only with his acoustic guitar and loop pedal!
The first term has brought with it a number of highlights including some wonderful performances by our Polyfest group, our volleyball teams at the Canterbury, South Island and New Zealand Champs and our first ever Culture Fest which saw over 20 community based musical groups combine with some very talented Riccarton High School students last Friday.
On the back of some very pleasing NCEA results in 2017, a highlight for this term has also been the degree to which a large majority of our students have embraced a positive work ethic which has become apparent through the Fortnightly Reports. It is pleasing to see the positive partnership emerging between our teachers and new students in particular.
A strong focus over the past eight weeks has been on completing our Education Brief - a document that clearly articulates our vision for future teaching and learning at Riccarton High School. It will be used as the basis of the redevelopment work that will occur around the school in the next few years. My sincere thanks to the lead writer of the brief: Board member and current parent, Fiona Wakefield, for her dedication and superior ability to be able to capture the essence of what we are as a school, and our future aspirations. The key aspects/themes associated with this document will be shared with the school community once we receive the final signoff from the Ministry of Education.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a wonderful man, Dave Biddick, our Sports Co-ordinator, who retires at the end of this term after 22 years of service. Dave models the Riccarton Way through-and-through, and he has given his heart and soul to Riccarton High School. Enjoy your retirement Dave.
Finally, a reminder about our Student Achievement Interview Day on Thursday 12 April. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and discuss their progress. You have already received details regarding this event and I look forward to catching up with you on the day.
Enjoy your Easter break.
Neil Haywood
Principal
Contents
Summer Shield Sports Exchange
This year's summer shield sports exchange had students and staff coming out of their classes to watch RHS and Kaikorai Valley College as they went head-to-head in wide range of sports.
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Well-being at Riccarton High School
There is a growing awareness and appreciation of the place of well-being in schools. Over the past two years, staff and student well-being teams have working to promote the idea of well-being as an essential part of life at Riccarton High School “well-being as a prerequisite for reaching our potential as learners”.
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Whānau Hui
Tēnā tātou katoa, E whānau whānui o te hapori Putaringamotu tēnā tātou katoa. Ka karanga mai whānau ki Whānau Hui. Me whakapiripriri mai a tātou mā i te maru whakawhaungatanga. Nau mai tauti mai.
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Device Advice
This year we are BYOD at Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 levels, and all new students are expected to bring a suitable device to school. An internet capable device is now an important part of a student’s toolkit, giving them access to unlimited resources and enabling them to support, extend, collaborate and share their learning in a way that prepares them for the future.
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Congratulations
Paige Gamble has just been awarded her first medal, a silver, for Kata, at the GKR Karate Christchurch Regional Tournament.
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Swim Champs
Sarah Hunter (13HU) and Victoria Bee (11HB), recently competed in Rotorua at the 2018 Division 2 NZ National Swim Championships, where approximately 600 swimmers aged 12-18, from across NZ, were racing.
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Uniform - getting ready for winter
With winter fast approaching students may want to consider purchasing some warmer uniform items. Please note that from 1 June 2018, uniform prices will increase on all garments except blazers.
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Emergency Procedures
The school has a clear set of evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency e.g. fire or earthquake. These are practised at least once a term.
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What to do if you have a concern
Usually, your child's whanau teacher is the first contact for most matters as they see your child regularly.
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Co-curricular Activity Involvement
It is fun and rewarding to improve in things, whether they be sports or musical instruments.
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Safety and Security
We are quite concerned that a number of parents are driving through the school grounds to drop their young people off in the morning.
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A visit from the Police
Riccarton High was privileged to host a group of Christchurch police who spoke to around 30 of our Year 12 and 13 students who are interested in looking at policing as a career option.
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Student achievement interview days - 2018
In 2018, we will, once again be holding two of these days as opportunities for our teachers to discuss progress with parents and caregivers.
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Mana toroa hui
On Thursday the 1st of March, year 12 and 13 Māori students gathered together for a senior hui. The purpose of this hui was to encourage students to identify with their Māori culture and to establish the concept of mana (honesty, strength, humility and power) within the school.
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Rapaki Marae Trip
On Friday the 9th of March 9GD, 9BT, some of the Year 13 class leaders, and teachers, went on a trip to the Rapaki marae in Lyttelton harbour.
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XUELONG Icebreaker Tour
Recently, a small group of keen Riccarton High students were lucky enough to get the opportunity to tour a Chinese research vessel, XUELONG.
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Academic Excellence Level 1
Congratulations to our students who achieved NCEA Level 1 endorsed with Excellence.
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Academic Excellence - Level 2
Congratulations to our students who achieved NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Excellence.
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Easter holiday dates
This year Easter falls during term 1. School will be closed for three days: Good Friday 30 March, Easter Monday 2 April and Easter Tuesday 3 April. Students will return to school on Wednesday 4 April.
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Year 9 Airport Context
Our Year 9 Context class have spent two weeks at Christchurch Airport, learning about the different areas. They have been spent time with the fire service, customs and engineering departments and worked in groups to do inquiry projects.
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Science for Sustainability
The Level 2 Science for Sustainability class, went on a field trip to the University of Canterbury to look in the microbiology department and the new Ernest Rutherford building.
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Reader/writers wanted
Do you have time to help our students? RHS is looking for volunteers who are able to support students needing Special Assessment conditions by acting as reader/writers or supervisors during assessments.
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Theatre
Our own Nikki Conyers (Head of Chemistry and Acting Head of Faculty) is featuring in a show at the Isaac Theatre Royal. Only on for 3 nights (last weekend of the holidays). Details and booking information below.
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